The coalition that won the bid just before the New Year, known as NUAIR, will be based at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome. The research lab there is upgrading a former hanger to house drones and equipment.

The city of Utica is showing signs of growth, whether it's the introduction of the Utica Comets hockey team, the massive investments into Nano Utica, or the recent completion of the Utica tower. To match the spirit of the city around them, the former Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has also made a change, rebranding itself as the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce in 2014.

Although its reach will still include Madison, Herkimer and Oneida counties, executive director Pamela Matt says the city of Utica is showing a resiliency that will help propel it into the future.